Thomas Lane

He crossed the ditches and scaled a wall under intense fire.

Thomas Lane was born in Cork about May 1836. A labourer, he enlisted in the 47th Regiment in 1853 and fought in the Crimea. After disciplinary convictions and transfer to the 67th Regiment, he went to India and China.

At the North Taku Fort on 21 August 1860, Lane crossed the defensive ditches and helped the attacking party scale the walls under heavy fire. Wounded during the assault, he earned the Victoria Cross; it was later presented to him at Shanghai.

Discharged in 1866, he travelled to New Zealand and the United States before returning to southern Africa. He served in colonial mounted units during the Zulu War and later worked in policing and prison service. His VC and pension were forfeited in 1881 following a desertion conviction involving a stolen horse and equipment. He died at Kimberley in April 1889 and was buried there.

Official Victoria Cross citation, shared with Lieutenant Nathaniel Burslem

For distinguished gallantry in swimming the Ditches of the North Taku Fort, and persevering in attempting during the assault, and before the entrance of the Fort had been effected by any one, to enlarge an opening in the Wall, through which they eventually entered, and, in doing so, were both severely wounded.